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Short Note - 4
ARHAT VACANA Kundakunda Jaanapitha, Indorer
Acharya Gyan Sagar:
A Great Poet Subhash Jain*
A great poet and Digambar Jain ascetic Acharya Gyan Sagar (Acārya Jñāna Sāgara) born in the last decade of 19th Century and lived till the 20th century on Indian soil was such an outstanding personality who innovated the composition of Jaina Literature almost thrown in the well of oblivion for 500 years. He himself enriched the Jain Literature through his writings. His contribution in Sanskrit (Saṁskrta) and Hindi Literature is immense. He endeavored to bring to life the 'Adidharm'- Jain religion based on self discipline. He composed nine epics in Sanskrit out of which four are widely read. They are- Bhadroda ya', 'Sudarśanodaya", 'Jayodaya' and 'Vīrodaya'. In Sanskrit Literature 'Kirātāirjunīya by Bhāravi, Siśupālavadha by Māgh and Naişadhacarita by Harsa are regarded as Vrhatrayi (Three great), Critics have included Jayodaya' of Acharya Gyan Sagar and Named Vrahatcatuştayi (four great). The 'Jayodaya' is included in the syllabus of M.A. Sanskrit by the University of Sagar. A number of Scholars worked on the works of the Acharya and presented research thesis and obtained Ph.D. and D.Lit. degrees. The former President Dr. Shankardayal Sharma on the occasion of bringing out the third edition of the epic highly praised it.
The Hindi epic Rşabhāvatāra based on the story of the Mahāpurāņa is about the life of lord Rishabh Dev (Rşabha deva), the first Tirthamkara. In this epic the poet has depicted the Jain Philosophy and religion in a very simple and practical way so as to send to the reader's heart. The verse in 'Gun Sundar Vritant' says, 7 ÇERT | HERTTERE ATI 31473114 TERTENTER GERT TIATI(There is no amendment in amending others. Mending one's own self mends others.) 'Bhagyodaya', 'Kartavya patha Pradarśan', 'Mānava dharm', Svāmī Kundakunda aur 'Sanātan Jaina Dharma' and 'Vivekodaya' are some of his unique literary compositions in Hindi.
The original worldly name of the great poet Acharya Gyan Sagar was Bhūrāmala. He was born on June 2, 1891 in a village Ranoli in the District Sikar of Rajasthan. His father was Chaturbhuj and Mother was Ghratāvari Devi, Khandelwal Digambara Jain. He had his early education in the school of Village Ranoli and Higher education from Queen's College, Varanasi. During his study here he took a vow of celibacy for the whole life and Surrendered himself for the service of Jainism and Literature.
Arhat Vacana, 23 (4), 2011
